Episode 223: How Did We Get Here? A History of the Religious Right

What really birthed the religious right? Why have black and white Christians swapped political parties over the last 60 years? Based on a class he’s teaching, co-host Skye Jethani takes us deep into the surprising history of 20th-century Christian political involvement. It’s a fascinating journey you won’t want to miss!

I was at Liberty from 78-83 (took 80-81 off) and I recall going to chapel listening to a speaker (most of the time it was Jerry) start from a book of the Bible and relating it to today. By the time chapel had ended, it had steered into this weird direction that said you weren’t a good Christian if you didn’t vote a certain way, and usually abortion was on the list. You may want to look into how the late Eddie Dobson (former Dean of Men and professor at Liberty) basically did a complete 180 when he got away from Lynchburg a wound up in Michigan. It was interesting filling i the gaps on the information that I didn’t know. Jerry Falwell, with a singing group from Liberty, toured most of the US during 76 holding these, “I love America” rallies. I think the seeds of the Moral Majority were plated back then. I did find it sad, that there was this insinuation that Trump was the lesser of two evils meaning that Hillary was worse. When I hear fellow Christians say they’re pro-life, I find that if you dig deep enough, they should really call themselves pro-birth as their passion pretty much evaporates after a baby is born. Since 82% (or so) of the white evangelical church voted for Trump, I would have to say that they’re also complicit with what happens afterwards. The word Evangelical has too much awful baggage and should be buried. I’m an independent and FWIW…I wrote in John Kasih’s name.